As 2012, 9.3% of the US population is suffering from diabetes. Among the elderly or those who are 65 years and older, 25.9% has the condition. Along with other conditions, blindness and eye problems are associated with diabetes. In recognition of Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, here are some facts about diabetes and its associated eye problems.
The Facts
Diabetes or diabetes mellitus displays as a metabolic condition characterized by high blood glucose. The abnormal blood glucose level develops due to an inadequate production of insulin. Another cause is the body’s inability to respond to insulin. Generally, diabetes develops as a condition that can be managed but not cured. It lasts a lifetime. It’s important to manage the condition because if it is not properly managed, it can lead to complications. Complications include eye issues, heart problems, skin complications, hypertension, mental health problems, hearing loss, neuropathy, stroke and other conditions. Most of the associated conditions of diabetes can become properly managed along with the disease. When it comes to eye problems, the conditions most commonly associated with diabetes are diabetic retinopathy, cataract, glaucoma and other eye conditions.
What to Do
If you are among the people who suffer from the condition, it is necessary to consult an eye specialist. Seeing a specialist becomes part of the proper management of diabetes complications. The specialist will tell you what you should do to avoid having diabetes related eye problems. What you should remember is that among adults who suffer from the condition, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness. This of course can be avoided with proper evaluation and eye care management.
If you have any eye problems, such as you suddenly notice that things are not as clear as they should be, you should immediately see an eye specialist. This is because when a person has diabetes, it is possible that the high blood sugar is causing the lens of the eye to swell. This can lead to blurred vision. This can also be corrected, but of course before you can correct the problem; your eye specialist must first check your eye for swelling.
Once Diagnosed
It’s important to see an eye specialist immediately after you have been diagnosed with diabetes so as to avoid developing eye problems. However, if you are already suffering from diabetes and already experiencing eye problems, you should know that most of the eye problems caused by diabetes can be treated by medication, surgery and LASIK. No reason exists for alarm, but it is necessary to get treatment before it advances too far.
If you have concerns about diabetes related eye problems, you can visit Sugarland Eye & Laser Center in Houston. It is one of the leading LASIK or laser eye surgery centers in the city and the state. The Center will also be holding a one-day LASIK event on January 16, 2015. You can visit www.sugarlandeye.com/newyear2015 to find more details about this one day event.
Sugarland Eye & Laser Center leads in providing premium LASIK technologies to Houston, Sugar Land, and the surrounding region. The Center’s award-winning medical director introduced revolutionary technologies such as iLASIK to the region. This technology is used by NASA astronauts, Navy SEALS and Air Force fighter pilots. At Sugarland Eye & Laser Center, you can now receive the same treatment. For more information, please call (281) 240-0478 or visit us at www.houston-lasik.com.
About the Author
Amjad Khokhar, M.D. is Chief LASIK Surgeon at Sugarland Eye & Laser Center. Add Dr. Khokhar on Google+ here.
Sources:
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/
http://www.medicinenet.com/diabetes_and_eye_problems/article.htm
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/diabetes/ :
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